Greylock Federal awards $100K in Special Gifts To Nonprofits

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(left to right) Johno Hinkell, Vice President, Market Manager at Greylock; Amy Hall, President and CEO and Billie Jo Sawyer, CFO of Child Care of the Berkshires; and Jamie Moncecchi, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at Greylock.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. Greylock Federal Credit Union is awarding 10 nonprofits with special gifts of $10,000 each totaling a $100,000 contribution to the nonprofit sector.
 
The recipients include: Elder Services of Berkshire County, Louison House, Childcare of the Berkshires, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM), Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY), Soldier On, Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Our Community Table, UCP of Western Massachusetts and Berkshire Pride.
 
"At Greylock we know that the challenges and opportunities that we face are larger than we can tackle on our own, and we are grateful to have wonderful partners," said John Bissell, President and CEO of Greylock. "Together we can nurture the health of our local economy and community – that's what it means to be financially inclusive. We invest in these partner organizations so they can do their work investing in the people of our community."
 
Greylock's leadership recognized the importance of awarding funds to organizations dedicated to providing human services.
 
"We know that this year and next will be extremely challenging for nonprofits," said Jamie Moncecchi, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. "We know that this award will be put to good use, providing essential resources, care, and support for the well-being of our community."
 
Ilana Steinhauer, executive director of VIM, acknowledged current challenges.
 
"This generous support from Greylock comes at a critical moment. It allows us to respond to emerging needs and ensure that patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks can continue to access high-quality care," said Steinhauer. "Greylock has been an important partner in strengthening the health of our community, and this gift reflects a shared commitment to care without compromise."
 
Each year Greylock Federal gives charitable contributions to more than 300 501(c)3 nonprofits that apply for grants and sponsorships annually.
 
"We are so thankful for all our nonprofits in our community. We know the needs are growing rapidly," said Jennifer Connor Shumsky, Assistant Vice President, Community Support & Events. "To have more funding to disperse is fantastic! I am so grateful that we've been able to give an additional gift to help our local economy."
 
Amy Hall, president and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires, was delighted to receive the unexpected gift from Greylock.
 
"What a wonderful surprise! This support will make a meaningful difference in our ability to serve and strengthen families through our Family Center program. Thank you," said Hall. 
 
According to a press release, investing in community partnerships aligns closely with Greylock's vision to be "the face of financial inclusion for the communities we serve," and its values to care, educate and inspire.
 
"I am so proud of the work we do here at Greylock," said Moncecchi. "Supporting these vital organizations is key to supporting the Berkshires. Whether it's AIRY helping youth at risk of suicide or Elder Services making sure our seniors have a hot meal each day or VIM caring for our immigrant neighbors, we believe strongly in giving back. This is one of the most powerful ways that Greylock can help the people of our community."

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State Housing Secretary Tours Downtown Pittsfield Developments

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state's new secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on Monday saw how local developers are transforming historic buildings into downtown housing units. 

Secretary Juana Matias, appointed to the role in February, toured the former St. Joseph's High School on Maplewood Avenue and the near-complete Wright Building Block on North Street.   

Matias observed local leaders working collaboratively to dismantle bottlenecks in housing production, something she said the administration wants to see across all 351 municipalities.  

"This is a perfect model of the partnerships we want to see, and we love coming to the ground and seeing how people are leveraging public taxpayer dollars to help address the issue of our time, which is housing production," she said after the tours. 

Developer David Carver, of Scarafoni Associates & CT Management Group, is seeking support from the state Housing Development Incentive Program to transform St. Joe's into apartments, and Allegrone Companies has secured millions from the program towards the Wright Building renovation

They first visited the shuttered school that functioned as a shelter during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, greeted by broken windows and leaving with Carver's vision. 

The plan is to transform the school with good bones into 19 apartments, 20 percent designated affordable, and 30 percent of the building for commercial use.  Units are expected to cost between $1,700 and $1,900 per month; 14 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units are planned. 

The project team is in talks with the nearby Berkshire Family YMCA to expand their childcare activities to the building's lower level.  Residents and the daycare would use different entrances. 

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